Three Colleges Open Day attracts pupils from across the county.
Almost 1600 year ten students attended this year’s Three Colleges Open Day on Tuesday 2 July, resulting in the most successful turn-out the event has ever had.
Students from 21 schools from Herefordshire and the border counties, were able to take part in a huge range of activities including acting, agriculture, business, child care, computing, criminology, design, engineering, fashion, health and social care, music, plumbing, sport and photography.
Herefordshire Council’s Post 16 Learning and Skills Adviser, in collaboration with Hereford College of Arts, Herefordshire College, Holme Lacy College and Hereford Sixth Form College, organised the annual Three Colleges Open Day.
The event provided students with a hands on experience of college life and will help them make informed decisions about their future career choices, as they transition from school to further education and training.
Extremely enthusiastic and positive feedback was received from students during the day, advising that they had an ‘amazing time’ were ‘really looking forward to going to college’ and were astounded as to how ‘big’ and ‘different’ college was to school.
Lisa Davies, Herefordshire Council’s Post 16 Learning and Skills Adviser, said:
“The open day gave year 10 students the unique opportunity to experience first-hand life as a college student and familiarise themselves with the college surroundings and staff.
“Students were able to attend workshops in subject areas they are considering studying in the future, giving them the opportunity to confirm or even change their mind and help them to look forward, not fear, the transition from school to post 16 education and training. The event was a successful, enjoyable and invaluable day for all involved.”
Catherine Brearey, Principal of Hereford Sixth Form College, said:
“Hereford Sixth Form College really support the open day. The event not only provides an invaluable platform for our future students to explore diverse post-16 pathways but also plays a crucial role in inspiring them to work hard for their goals.
“By bringing together the three local colleges and Herefordshire Council, we are creating an environment where young people can gain insights, receive guidance, and build connections that will serve them well into their future education.”
Abigail Appleton, Principal of Hereford College of Arts, said:
“Hereford offers an exceptional range of post-16 pathways for students across the county and beyond.
“We were delighted to work with our sister colleges on Folly Lane and Herefordshire Council to help delivery this flagship educational event.
“Collaboration of this kind is enormously important and I’m grateful to the team at Herefordshire Council for all their support and facilitation. I know staff across Hereford College of Arts loved the chance to share their creative passions with students from many different schools, giving them an insight into the enormous range of career opportunities the outstanding creative education we offer opens up.
“We’re proud to have been part of such an exciting day and I know HCA, with our colleagues across Folly Lane, is already planning and looking forward to bigger and even better in 2025.”
David Williams, Principal of Herefordshire, Ludlow & North Shropshire College Group (of which Herefordshire College and Holme Lacy College form part of), added:
“Three Colleges Day is a testament to the collaborative spirit and commitment to education within our community. We were delighted to host this event alongside Hereford College of Arts and Hereford Sixth Form College, offering Year 10 students a unique insight into their potential future studies.”
